The Huskies will make 277-mile bus ride from Oak Park to Edwardsville for the first meeting between the programs. OPRF is 7-2 and seeded No. 21 in the 32-team bracket for the state’s largest schools. Edwardsville is 8-1 and the No. 12 seed.

The winner advances to a second-round date with either Oswego (9-0) or Joliet West (6-3). The Tigers would be on the road for either opponent in Round 2.

It is the sixth successive playoff appearance – including third after the bump up to Class 8A — and 23rd overall for Edwardsville, which was ousted in the first round by Waubonsie Valley last season after hitting the postseason at 9-0.

The Tigers’ lone loss in 2016 is a 20-10 defeat to East St. Louis in Week 6 in Edwardsville. East Side is 9-0 and ranked No. 1 in the final Associated Press Class 7A state poll.

Edwardsville, ranked No. 6 in 8A, is led by a defense limiting opponents to 10.2 points per game. The Tigers will be tested by a Huskies spread offense built around 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior quarterback Jeremy Hunt.

“They’re balanced on run and pass,” Martin said. “And he’s a big part of their run. He’s got a cannon for an arm, he makes good decisions, he’s a big part of what they do.”

Hunt completed 70 percent of his 200 passes in the regular season for 1,572 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also averages 4.7 yards per carry while rushing for 50 yards a game. Hunt has a pair of imposing targets to throw to in senior wideouts Jared Scott (6-6, 215) and Eddie Gorens (6-4, 210).

Junior Terrance Roady (5-9, 180) is the Huskies’ leading rusher with 682 yards and five TDs. He averages 5.3 yards per carry.

OPRF started the season 6-0 before closing with two losses in its final three games. The Huskies beat Lyons, a Class 8A playoff qualifier at 7-2, between defeats to unbeaten Hinsdale Central (21-12) and 7-2 Glenbard West (56-39).

Edwardsville senior quarterback Brenden Dickmann is the trigger man for an offense putting up 37 points a game. He has completed 49 of 92 passes for 720 yards, six TDs and seven interceptions.

Sophomore Dionte Rodgers seized the starring role in the Tigers’ running game, matching the school record of 24 rushing touchdowns first set by Collin Gardiner in 1995. Rodgers has 1,284 rushing yards in an offense averaging 258 yards per game on the ground.

Greg Shashack may be reached at 618-798-1486 or on Twitter @gregshashack